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Griffith board approves consent agenda, several curriculum grants and finalizes athletic fees policy
Summary
The board passed the consent agenda, approved curriculum grants funded by the Education Foundation, accepted special education correspondence, and approved a policy requiring athletic fees to be paid before a student may start a subsequent sport.
The Griffith Public Schools Board of Trustees approved routine business items, several Education Foundation grants for curriculum and a district policy change regarding athletic fees during the regular meeting that followed the budget and project hearings.
The board passed the consent agenda by voice vote. It also approved receipt of special education documents and correspondence related to excess cost placements; district staff explained that the district is responsible for the first $30,000 of out‑of‑district therapeutic day school placements and then uses the state excess cost grant to cover amounts above that threshold.
The board accepted three curriculum grants funded by the Griffith Education Foundation: a UFLI phonics curriculum pilot for early readers, an art curriculum package to support a first‑year art teacher, and an emotions/behavior support curriculum for primary special education classrooms. Board members said these grants were presented by teachers or staff and required board acknowledgement because they are curriculum items.
The board also moved to pull and immediately consider two policy items (a policy and matching administrative guideline regarding athletic fee collection). Under the adopted policy language discussed at the meeting, families will be given a deadline (November 1 as presented) to pay athletic fees; students will be ineligible to begin a second sport until outstanding athletic fees for prior activities are paid. A board member explained the policy intent: unpaid athletic fees create costs to the operations fund for transportation, equipment and consumables. One board member said, “If you don't pay your bill, you shouldn't be able to play sport,” arguing the policy promotes responsibility and reduces unpaid charges to the district.
All motions described on the agenda — policy readings, grant acceptances and receipt of special education items — carried by voice vote; the meeting record did not include individual roll‑call tallies for those items.
Ending: The board cleared agenda business items and proceeded to audience participation and district reports. Board members asked staff to follow up with members of the public by email on specific capital project timing and bus replacement counts.
